Roslindale's Green Dragons care for the Earth (2 videos)

Monday

Aug 12, 2013 at 12:01 AMAug 12, 2013 at 12:11 PM

Barely noticing the sweat dripping down their faces, the Green Dragons twirled, kicked and pushed themselves to the limit as they practiced martial arts in the most unlikely place: Roslindale’s Southwest Boston Community Garden.

Julie M. Cohen/Wicked Local West Roxbury and Roslindale

Barely noticing the sweat dripping down their faces, the Green Dragons twirled, kicked and pushed themselves to the limit as they practiced martial arts in the most unlikely place: Roslindale’s Southwest Boston Community Garden.

The four teens and their teacher, Mike Cermak, or Master Mike as they call him, ignored the nearly 100-degree heat as they executed complex moves between planters. They chanted mantras about caring for their bodies as well as the land, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humankind and the earth.

According to its website, the Green Dragons project seeks to address the problems of diet-related diseases and poor fitness in youth by combining food and martial arts education. That is why students not only practice kicks and punches, they pull weeds and sow seeds.

“It’s been a life changing experience for me,” said Vanely Santos, 19, of Roxbury. The Charlestown High student said the program has made him aware of how important it is to care for the environment and eat healthier foods. Equally as important, he said Green Dragons helps center him.

Roslindale resident Cermak said the group grew out of a belief that he shared with Ben Warner, the owner of Roslindale’s Yang’s Martial Arts Association, and YMAA student Matt Briggs: In order to fight obesity in city youth, nutrition and fitness needed to be taught together. For the last 1½ years, the nonprofit Green Dragons, which is based at YMAA, has been able to marry those concepts and change lives through teaching kung fu and gardening, according to Cermak.

The BC sociology professor’s Ph.D. dissertation concentrated on sustainable food education in the Boston Public Schools, and through his research he made numerous contacts and was able to offer the program throughout the city.

Cermak, a Brookline native and black belt in Kempo karate, emphasized that many kung fu practitioners in China also have farms.

“It’s that old school tradition,” he said. “We’re trying to bring that ancient and powerful connection back.”

Visiting the source

Cermak, Santos and Cedonne Petion, 18, of Dorchester, recently visited China together to get a deeper understanding of kung fu by training with master teachers. However, the trip itself could never have happened without creative planning.

As part of the Green Dragons’ curriculum, the students watched martial arts films and discussed the philosophies behind kung fu, which means “hard work,” according to Cermak. The teens were particularly fascinated by parts of the movies shot in China, inspiring them to create a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to visit the country. From March to April they were able to raise $8,000 to cover living and food expenses. In return, they will finish a documentary on their trip by May 2014, which they hope to screen first in Roslindale.

Petion said before he left, he was excited to train in more kung fu styles and forms and learn about a different culture. He eventually hopes to be able to write in Chinese.

The three visited the Wudang Mountains in Hubei Province in south central China, where one of the “Karate Kid” movies was filmed. There, Cermak said they met with an English-speaking teacher who worked with the group on new techniques. They also spent most of their time living in mountain temples with monks who they joined during tea ceremonies.

Reflecting on the two-week experience, Santos said, “I gained so much more insight.”

He and Petion both said they hope to return one day.

“We all had a life-changing journey in China,” Cermak said.

Santos, Petion and two other teens are coming full circle as they train to become Green Dragon mentors to younger Boston students and pass on their knowledge and passion. Cermak calls them the group’s “all stars.”

“I like … giving back,” said Petion. “From what I learn, I can share.”

To learn more about Green Dragons, go to http://www.thegreendragons.com/.

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